Sly and the Family Stone’s “Sing a Simple Song” was a Lightning Bolt of Inspiration
Tracing the anthem’s urgent journey, from Stand! to albums by Diana Ross and Jimi Hendrix.
by Brad Farberman
In the fall of ’68, Sly and the Family Stone kicked off one of the most epic runs in funk history — and popular culture — with “Everyday People.” Fueled by Larry Graham’s thumping bass, Rose Stone’s perfect piano and iconic calls for unity and acceptance — “different strokes for different folks,” “we got to live together” — “Everyday People” rose to the top of the Hot 100, spending a full month there. But its B-side, “Sing a Simple Song,” has a story of its own. Boasting an electrifying guitar riff and Greg Errico’s ready-to-be-sampled drums (which they were), “Sing a Simple Song,” included the following year on Stand!, became something of a litmus test for funk bands near and far. Like: “But can you play ‘Sing a Simple Song’? And how would you do it?” Only the most adept groups, like the Meters and Booker T. and the M.G.’s, rose to the occasion. Miles Davis and Jimi Hendrix never covered the song in full, but toyed with the guitar part on stage and in the studio.
With Sly Stone’s passing this week at age 82, chiefly from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, we’re looking back at some of the most fascinating interpretations of “Sing a Simple Song,” from the 1969 Supremes-and-Temptations team-up to more recent versions by Maceo Parker and the Budos Band. Great artists have an impact with (slightly) lesser-known songs, too, and the multi-instrumentalist born Sylvester Stewart is no exception. “Time is passin’, I grow older, things are happening fast,” he sings. “All I have to hold onto is a simple song at last.”
The Meters
1969
On their self-titled debut in ’69, New Orleans funk legends the Meters chose to wrap things up with “Sing a Simple Song.” The famous horns-and-drums breakdown is reimagined by just Leo Nocentelli on guitar and Zigaboo Modeliste on drums, with Zigaboo taking a more relaxed approach to the groove. One could write a book about the drummer’s playing on this track.
Booker T. and the M.G.’s
1969
Like on the Meters version, the melody here is given to the organ. But the most striking change on this take, off The Booker T. Set, is how drummer Al Jackson Jr. subverts the breakdown by playing softly, and just sticking to the bass drum and a cymbal. Around the two-minute mark, the Memphis-based quartet also dives into a little of “Everyday People,” with guitarist Steve Cropper playing the vocal line with octaves. Thrilling.
King Curtis
1969
The same year he appeared on Aretha Franklin’s Soul ’69 and organist Shirley Scott’s Shirley Scott and the Soul Saxes, saxophonist King Curtis recorded an arrangement of “Sing a Simple Song.” On top of tambourine and handclaps, Curtis makes the melody dance.
Diana Ross and the Supremes with the Temptations
1969
A sequel to 1968’s Diana Ross and the Supremes Join the Temptations, Together features both Motown groups diving into “Sing a Simple Song.” Melvin Franklin’s bass vocals are a highlight, as is Ross’ ad-lib after the line “Giving, giving, giving love and smiling at the frowns”: “Me too.”
Willie Mitchell
1970
At Hi Records in Memphis, Willie Mitchell produced Al Green’s biggest hits, from “Let’s Stay Together” to “Love and Happiness.” But he was also a trumpeter and bandleader, with a funky discography all his own. On 1970’s Robbin’s Nest, which also features several songs co-written by Al Green guitarist Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, Mitchell and company give “Sing a Simple Song” a makeover that sometimes feels ethereal — blame the organ and flute. During the break, no one drops out, but the bass player digs a little deeper.
Roberto Roena y su Apollo Sound
1970
“Sing a Simple Song” gets the Fania treatment. With percussionist Roberto Roena at the fore, and Albert Garcia’s relentless piano somewhere in the middle, the song becomes an exercise in ecstatic salsa.
Jimi Hendrix
1970
If you were at New York’s Fillmore East on New Year’s Day 1970, you heard a little bit of “Sing a Simple Song.” But it wasn’t a Sly concert — Jimi Hendrix played the riff during the intro to Buddy Miles’ “We Gotta Live Together,” as heard on Band of Gypsys.
Miles Davis
1971
Near the end of the sprawling “Right Off,” from A Tribute to Jack Johnson, guitarist John McLaughlin plays with the “Simple Song” riff for about 90 seconds. Instead of playing it note for note, he shifts and approximates it, but in a way that makes the reference loud and clear.
Maceo Parker
1998
This take by the James Brown alto sax legend, from his Funk Overload LP, also features Brown bassist “Sweet” Charles Sherrell on backing vocals. Parker’s tart, joyful soloing adds a special spark, as it always does.
The Budos Band
2005
Twenty years ago, Staten Island’s Budos Band had a hazy Afrobeat vision for “Sing a Simple Song.” Mike Deller, on organ, sneaks in the right amount of eerie.
